The Wolverine

May 2018

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/970722

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 47 of 75

48 THE WOLVERINE MAY 2018   MICHIGAN FOOTBALL to us about taking care of yourself as an athlete and carrying yourself a certain way." Junior defensive end Rashan Gary added eight pounds to his frame and also raved about his new coach. "Coach Herbert is the best," Gary said. "I can't even describe it. Since he's been here, he changed the mind- set to us coming in every day ready to work and ready to push each other to be the best we can. "Having a guy like that, that's con- stantly on your back, that constantly wants greatness for you … it's great having a person like that pushing you along." Defensive coordinator Don Brown noticed a difference the first time he saw his kids at practice this spring. "Some guys you wouldn't think could get [more cut] are now one big muscle," he said. "You think, 'How much better can they get?' These guys have maximized their condi- tioning and their strength improve- ment. "I can't say enough good things about Herb and the strength staff. They really gave us a really solid group of guys in terms of cardio and bigger, stronger, faster." — Chris Balas JIM HARBAUGH EXPANDS ON TRIP ABROAD During his April 10 "Attack Each Day" podcast, head coach Jim Har- baugh talked at length about the team's spring trips to Normandy and Paris, and revealed some interesting details. "I'm looking forward to a repeat of what we did last year in Rome — the memories we created, the things we learned, and the time spent with teammates was unbelievable," Har- baugh said. "This year 's trip will be just as good and possibly even better. We've got experienced travelers on our team now. "The trip to Normandy will be spe- cial. I just learned that [men's basket- ball] coach John Beilein's mother 's brother lost his life at Normandy and is buried there — we're going to visit his gravesite. "The men who stormed the beaches of Normandy actually inspired the [TV miniseries] 'Band of Brothers.' I talked to Coach Beilein about speak- ing to our team and sharing the facts as he knows them — that'd be good for our players to preview before go- ing on the trip. "We invited Coach and the whole basketball team to come along, but they have a big recruiting event that weekend. A potential football/bas- ketball trip in the future would be something to consider." — Austin Fox DESPITE SOME INJURIES, TIGHT ENDS SHOWED STRENGTH THIS SPRING Michigan head coach Jim Har- baugh gave a brief update on each of the team's tight ends April 10 and revealed how they've been doing throughout spring ball. "[Junior] Sean McKeon is having an outstanding spring — he reminds me a lot of [former U-M tight end] Jake Butt," Harbaugh said. "He's a willing blocker and a really good route runner, and is fast and tough too. Sean just has that edge that Butt played with. "[Redshirt junior] Zach [Gentry] had an amazing offseason and is up about 13 pounds of muscle. He's one of our most positive players, and his positivity affects others. He has a slight groin issue right now though and has missed a couple days of practice. "[Redshirt junior Tyrone] Wheat- ley broke the [metatarsal] in his foot, but had been having a heck of an offseason before that. [Junior Nick] Eubanks is emerging and is very tal- ented, and [new tight ends coach] Sherrone Moore is doing a great job coaching him. "[Freshman Mustapha] Muham- mad will be good, and [freshman Luke] Schoonmaker as well." — Austin Fox BEN MASON TO UNDERGO MENISCUS SURGERY Jim Harbaugh revealed April 10 that sophomore fullback Ben Mason will need surgery before next season begins. "Ben had actually complained about his knee a little bit, but the trainers couldn't find anything wrong with it," the U-M head coach said. "He wound up getting an MRI that showed he had a meniscal tear. He will have meniscus surgery and be out for a month and a half. He would've kept on going if we wouldn't have gotten that MRI. "He was voted by his teammates as the toughest player on the team last year — he had been cracking skulls and doing Ben Mason things." The sophomore is projected to be the starting fullback for the Wolver- ines this fall, after the team lost fifth- year seniors Khalid Hill and Henry Poggi to graduation. Last year as a freshman, Mason carried just three times for four yards, but two of those rushes went for touchdowns. Assuming he wins the starting job this fall, Mason is expected to be backed up by freshman Ben Van- Sumeren and fifth-year senior Jared Wangler. — Austin Fox PAIR OF U-M GRAD TRANSFERS ANNOUNCE DESTINATIONS On April 12, quarterback Wilton Speight revealed he would be trans- ferring to UCLA, while tight end Ian Bunting declared he'd be heading to California Jan. 30. Both players will be fifth-year seniors in 2018, and each Jim Harbaugh said that junior Sean McKeon reminds him of Jake Butt, Michigan's 2016 John Mackey Award winner as the nation's best tight end. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of The Wolverine - May 2018